'Modern Family' killing off 'significant character' next season

The Modern Family cast has endured for almost 10 seasons, but the end is near for one character.

Co-creator Christopher Lloyd told Entertainment Weekly that a "significant" character will die in the upcoming 10th season of the family comedy, which is set to premiere September 26 in the US.

"We're handling some bigger life events in this season," he told the magazine. "We do deal with a death, which is certainly a topic that families have to deal with, and on television, it's not easy to do because that's a heavy subject. But at the same time, it would seem unusual for a family not to go through it."

A big change is coming to 'Modern Family' Season 10. (Getty)

Lloyd would not reveal who the character is, but he did say that the death would impact several episodes. The 10th season also marks the end of the show's multi-season contract, so future seasons remain uncertain. Co-creator Steven Levitan has previously talked about ending the show, but Lloyd expressed a different sentiment.

"There's goodwill on both sides to make it happen, but there's also complicated matters that have to get worked through, and there's a time constraint on it, because we can't have it take too long," he said. "I'm hoping that that doesn't make the whole thing go away, but I think there's a decent chance we'll see it happen."

On Twitter, fans didn't exactly take the news easily.

"If Phil dies, I die too..." one fan wrote.

Wrote another: "This is not a documentary. This is not a drama. This is a comedy! We watch comedies to avoid real life crappiness! WTF!"

Another fan tweeted: "Not mentally prepared for this right now..."

Another person called it a clear "mistake."

"This is a feel good show," the fan added.

"The obvious would be Jay because of age, but that would be horrible," another person surmised. "He's the patriarch of the family and show. Ugh. I wouldn't be ok with any of the characters being killed off. Not even Stella."

Guess we'll all just have to tune in to see...

(Giphy)

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